The Whittier Rio Hondo Aids Project & P.E.A.R.L. Project Present a Special Free Screening of Straightlaced - How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up

Whittier, CA, December 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Straightlaced – How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up brings to the screen a powerful and complicated story of the world of teens, dealing with gender and sexuality. From girls confronting media messages about culture and body image to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay. Straightlaced – How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up shows the many, many ways, large and small, that gender messages shape young people’s daily decisions, and the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender expectations have on all our lives.

The film shares the engaging stories of more than 50 high school students from a variety of communities dealing with such topics as bullying, gender identification, body image disorders, sexual activity, dating, family violence, and family exclusion for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming youth.

This powerful film is uplifting and surprisingly reveals the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing has on everyone's lives.

Straighlaced is Directed by Debra Chasnoff and is A Groundspark Production in conjunction with The Respect for all Project.

Following the screening a question and answer forum will be conducted with lead actress Briseida Solis discussing the key points of the film.

P.E.A.R.L. Project (Prevention, Empowerment, Acceptance, Respect, Leadership) In an effort to prevent and address the mental health needs of LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex) TAY (Transitional Aged Youth), the Christopher Wahl Center will strive to create a safe and inclusive space in which we will foster the development and growth of participants.

The goal is to increase participants’ morale and activity in their community by facilitating an environment and program that will allow the transitional aged youth to develop adaptation skills as well as life skills to foster mindful and healthy lifestyles. The program will provide opportunities to socialize and create a sense of personal integration, while also providing emotional support, a safe haven, and all while addressing key areas of positive behavior modification.

The Whittier Rio Hondo aids Project (WRHAP) currently serves 120 living with HIV/AIDS in the Southeast Los Angeles County and the South Bay. They provide housing referrals, benefits counseling, legal assistance, medical referrals, transportation, mental health counseling and support groups and food and meal assistance.

WRHAP is a nonprofit organization that provides an array of life-giving services to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS and HIV prevention services to youth and others at risk for acquiring HIV.

Case management, mental health, and food pantry services are offered by WRHAP. Their service model includes partnerships with other organizations to also offer medical outpatient, dental care, and specialty housing referrals in one location.

Their HIV prevention services include the Phoenix Project for young gay men of color and women in recovery. The NowUKnow program works with parents to ensure appropriate HIV prevention in schools. WRHAP also offers weekly HIV counseling and testing. Their newest program is the Christopher Wahl Youth Center, which provides a safe haven for all youth.

The screening of Straightlaced – How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up was funded by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health.

For further information:

Agueda Rivas, TAY Educator
Arivas@wrhap.org
562 693-2247

Rena Trujillo, Care Programs Manager
rtrujillo@wrhap.org
562 693-2247